Historic Sprint victory for Jedburgh’s Jazmine

Fiona Scott

Jedburgh teenager Jazmine Tomlinson sprinted her way into the record books today by becoming the first ever female to win the historic New Year Sprint.

The 18-year-old sports development student swept aside a challenge from pre race favourite, and fellow, Borderer, Ryan Houten from Cardrona, to take the title in the 147th running of the event, which was held at Musselburgh Racecourse, in a time of 11.38 seconds.

Musselburgh Racecourse, The New Year Sprint on 1st January 2016. Jazmine Tomlinson becomes the first woman to win the race in its 147 year history.

Running from a mark of 20.5 metres Tomlinson, who runs for the Tweedbank based TLJT Athletics Club, got off to a storming start to overtake fellow Borderer Emily Dagg (21.5m) and maintain her lead to the tape. Houten (9m) came in second with Lasswade’s Kieran Reilly (8.75m) in third.

In total five Borders’ athletes made the final with Selkirk’s Craig Bruce (12m) finishing in 6th and Berwick’s Cameron Tindle (2m), who also runs for TLJT, in 8th place.